Starbucks...Seattle outlets flogging booze! Burger King Fast-food cocktails to go!

The reining java King has sauntered into the alcoholic beverage market!

According to recent news reports, four of Starbucks trendy cafes in Seattle are  now serving up beer and wine to take the edge off the day.

Of course - there will always be an ample supply of tongue-twisting coffee specials to jump-start the day at the crack-of-dawn - too (as usual).

Word out of Florida is that two Sonic restaurants have followed the lead of Burger King after the fast-food giant introduced "Whopper Bars" in Miami, Las Vegas, and Kansas City.

Flogging thirst-quenching ales and soothing sips of cool quality wines may boost sales, but as far as the critics are concerned, the combination of fast-food and mood-elevating beverages at the drive-thru may lead to a slippery road to hell.

I worry more about my pocketbook.

Beers are being sold at Starbucks for $5.00 a bottle while wine soars in price at a pricey $9.00 a glass.

Personally, I'd rather pick up a six-pack at the local grocery and save a fortune (and my life) in the process on the way home where I'm about to become a couch potato for the night!

Amen!

http://www.thetattler.biz

San Francisco...racist security guard @ Burger King harasses customers!

Racist African-American guards at Burger King!

I always thought that San Francisco was a sophisticated city, brimming with intelligence, until this morning!

Up and about early, I popped into Burger King at Hyde & Market Streets, for a quick snack to energize me.

Shortly after I began munching on my chow, I whipped out my laptop to check for e-mail.

Imagine that!

A short fat African-American security guard - ugly as sin - strolled up and scolded me for keying in data on my PC.

"You're supposed to be eating food," he snarled at me.

Yes, I expect the lame-brain was blind, too; otherwise, he would have noticed the wrappings for my burger, fries, and cup for my beverage inches away from the end of his snotty nose!

Once again, a racist African-American (with an obvious grudge) attempted to push around a white dude, thinking he would put up with his bullsh**.

Wrong!

But, get this. 

When I complained to the Manager on duty, and she called him up on the inappropriate behaviour, he denied it.

Duh!

About a dozen customers were witness to the shocking conduct!

Obviously, he doesn't have a brain either, or he would have fessed up (and apologized).

You can't teach an old dog new tricks, so I expect that when his boss's back is turned, he'll be at it again.

So, it may be wise to cross the street, and patronize McDonald's.

By the way, they have wireless access there, too!

Happy Web Surfers at McD's

http://www.julianayrs.com

McDonald's...prices go up today! But, service remains shoddy...

If you dropped into McDonald's this morning for your favorite egg McMuffin, you must have been taken aback - like I was - when you got less cash back in your change.

The cashier must have overcharged 'ya, right?

Wrong!

Prices went up today, across the board, at the fast-food take-out!

And, their spanking-new breakfast menus reflect the changes.

The counter person shrugged.


"Prices are going up everywhere."

The hike is not outrageous.

But, for those in the lower income strata who have to pinch pennies to get by, there may be a bit of a financial strain.

Are businesses charging more for goods and services simply because the competition has begun the trend?

Or, is there a specific reason for the increase?



Business owners blame the high cost of fuel which trickles down and affects shipping and delivery costs.


In McDonald's case, there may be another reason.

Was it just a coincidence that new prices went into effect today on the heels of the announcement that the fast-food giant would boost dividends to stockholders?

It sum, it appears that McDonald's execs are taking away with one hand and giving back with another.

Clever!

Now, how about boosting the - freshness, quality, and nutrition value - of the food?

Service trends - or the lack thereof - are ready for a major overhaul, too.

For instance, of late it's rare, that the doors at the "golden arches" open promptly at 6 a.m. as advertised.

Notwithstanding, service personnel on tap at the counter tend to be inexperienced, lacking in communication skills - and quite generally - not very savvy in the customer relations department.

What ever happened to the concept of service with a smile?

Ray Kroc must be turning over in his grave!

Give 'em the old soft shoe...

Burger King...trans fats!

Occasionally, I like to wolf down a fat juicy burger with a side of chili fries and a big gulp, but with the advent of informative books like "Fast Food Nation" warning about the perils of eating out, I always exercise a little caution these days...

Well, it looks like it may be safe to eat at Burger King, if you believe food experts. The fast-food chain announced recently that they intend to cut trans-fat cooking oils from their tasty menu by the end of the year.

The second-largest hamburger chain is following a trend in the industry.

Although their burgers are flame-boiled, until now BK has been using trans-fat-laced oils for deep-frying french fries and chicken.

Will they be sacrificing taste for health concerns?

Not if you believe tests conducted in recent months. Consumers allege that french fries and hash browns cooked in the alternative products tasted just as good, if not better.

Why the switch?

On food labels trans fats are listed as hydrogenated vegetable oil - which can raise bad cholesterol and lower healthy cholesterol - increasing the risk of heart disease, according to Doctors.

The move by Burger King was not entirely of their own accord, however.

The Washington-based Center for Science in the Public Interest sued Burger King in May, saying the company was moving too slowly on the issue, and failed to set a definite timetable for removal of trans fats.

In response, Burger King vowed to institute the new procedures for cooking by the end of 2007.

The fast-food giant is slightly behind McDonald's Corporation and Wendy's who began the switch to cooking oil with zero grams of trans fat in August, 2006.

But we’re not out of the woods yet...

Major Food Manufacturers add hydrogen to vegetable oil in a process known as hydrogenation.

Hydrogenation is used to increase shelf life and ensure flavor stability of packaged foods on the shelf.

While unsaturated fats (monounsaturated and polyunsaturated) are beneficial when consumed in moderation, saturated and trans fats are not.

Consumers, take note: when comparing foods look at the Nutrition Facts panel and choose the food with the lowest amounts of saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol.

Health experts recommend that you keep your intake of saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol as low as possible while consuming a nutritionally adequate diet.

However, these experts recognize that eliminating these three components entirely from your diet is not practical because they are unavoidable in ordinary diets.

And, trans fats are not often disclosed in fast-food products.

Therefore, the trend towards use of cooking oils without trans fats at take-out chains is a move in the right direction.

Eat healthy, if you can!